Mr. Augustus Frederick Pittman Jr, 90, passed away peacefully at home Nov. 17, 2019.
Born in Mobile, Ala., he was the son of the late Augustus F. Pittman Sr. and Eunice Helena Diebert Pittman.
Mr. Pittman was a graduate of Maury High School where he played center lineman for the school’s football team, then dubbed the Commodore Mapmakers. He married his high school sweetheart, Patty Jean, Feb. 4, 1950, and together raised four vivacious youngsters.
He was a dedicated and successful salesman at Price’s Inc., one of the last, if not the last, “Mom and Pop” appliance businesses in the area.
Mr. Pittman, lovingly referred to as “Brother” and/or “Big Fred”, could light up a room with his bright smile and contagious laughter. He was charismatic and possessed a warm twinkle in those “Carolina” blue eyes like no other.
The Pittman home was always welcoming. Mr. Pittman had a passion for cooking, from making home-made pizzas and bread loaves to decadent banana puddings and crunchy (the way they should be) oatmeal-raisin-pecan cookies. The aroma that came from the kitchen alone was enough to pull you in. He took immense satisfaction in watching people enjoy his dishes; this was truly his most expressive form of love and friendship.
Mr. Pittman also loved the many family “Griswoldian” vacations to Swansboro and Emerald Isle, N.C., where the laughter and partying were never in short supply. The party seemed to take off when Big Fred walked into the room. Cat Stevens, Roy Orbison, Neil Diamond, Neil Young, W.T. Casper, and the Bee Gees were among his musical favorites as young and old alike danced and made merry into the wee hours.
Through the years, Mr. Pittman developed what is referred to as “grandpa-isms,” a unique collection of words and phrases that somehow seemed to capture the moment. Whether it was one of those four vivacious youngsters being referred to as a heathen or a granddaughter answering to “Darln”; his humor, wit, and sincerity will forever be missed.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Pittman was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Patricia Jean “Patty Jean” Hopkins Pittman.
Left to cherish his memory and celebrate his life are daughters, Patricia L. Sumners and husband, David, of Quinby, and Susan G. Wilson and husband, J, of Belle Haven; sons, Augustus F. Pittman III and wife, Janice, of Norfolk, Va., and Bruce C. Pittman, of Greensboro, N.C.; sisters, Eunice L. “Cookie” Pittman and Judith A. Pittman, both of Norfolk, Va., and Marion C. Force & late husband, Steven, of Lakewood, Colo.; along with grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nephews and friends.
Our family would like to thank our friends at Intrepid Hospice – Eastern Shore whom we consider family. It was a true blessing for Dad to have had such loving care; he appreciated and loved each of you.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Mr. Pittman’s 91st birthday, Feb. 1, 2020. The family will post the celebration venue at a later date.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.doughtyfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were made by Doughty Funeral Home in Exmore.
